10 To-Dos in Miami This Season

By The Inside Source
December 1, 2009

Every city has its own unique holiday charm, but none quite as unconventional as Miami. After all, where else can go watch a Christmas tree lighting ceremony after spending a bikini-clad day at the beach? Trade your hot cocoa for an iced mocha in Magic City. From late night zoo trips to indulgent movie nights, Miami’s tropical weather provides the perfect backdrop for holiday visitors.

1. Holiday Nights with Wild Lights at the Miami Metro Zoo

12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, 305-251-0400 www.miamimetrozoo.com, Friday-Sunday, through December 20th

Go wild. During the holidays, Miami’s spectacular zoo keeps its gates open at night, allowing visitors to stroll the animal kingdom from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Along with lions, monkeys, and giraffes, there’s a winter wonderland, where you can get photos with Santa and admire custom-designed trees with themes like Safari and Butterflies. Also on hand: festive lights in the shapes of animals, hot chocolate, and holiday music. It’s where the wild things really are.

2. December Performances the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts

1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown, 305-949-6722 www.arshtcenter.org, Saturday only

Indulge your holiday doldrums with a night at the theater. Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts plays host to a variety of can't miss shows in December: Ziff Dance Series by Batsheva Ensemble, an athletic, energetic, electric dance troupe from Israel (5th and 6th); Billy Crystal's award-winning play, 700 Sundays (9th through 13th); and George Balanchine's Christmas classic, The Nutracker (18th through 23rd).

3. Cocktails for the Cure at Area 31

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Downtown, 305-424-5234, www.area31restaurant.com, through December 1st

Miami’s elite can be found dining at Area 31, which was recently named Esquire’s Best New Restaurant. The stylish haunt serves fresh, sustainable fish worth writing home about. For the holidays, the restaurant is participating in Cocktails for a Cure. One dollar from each of its Red Ribbon specialty drinks goes to Care Resource, a local HIV/AIDS charity. Sip artisanal cocktails like the Bad Apple (Don Julio Blanco, Lillet, Angostura bitters, apple juice, and ginger beer), knowing that the more tipsy you get, the more good you’re doing.

4. Decollage at Locust Projects

155 NE 38th Street, Design District, 305-576-8570 www.locustprojects.org, through December 30th

What would a trip to Miami be without some cutting-edge art? Locust Projects, an avant garde gallery, is hosting New York-based artist Francesca DiMattio, who’s known for her paintings that look eerily like collages. For her current exhibit, DiMattio is creating actual collages. Old books, magazines, and paintings are woven, glued, and deconstructed on ten-foot tall banners. Also on site: an installation inspired by Miami complete with beach chairs and boats. Expect to find hipsters discussing the meaning of glue.

5. Shopping at the Village of Merrick Park

358 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables, 305-529-0200 www.villageofmerrickpark.com, Saturday and Sunday

You made it through Black Friday with only one injury (shopper’s elbow from all that sweater grabbing). Now take a more relaxing jaunt at the Village of Merrick Park. The outdoor oasis boasts swanky boutiques like Jimmy Choo, La Perla, and Burberry, as well as up-end department stores Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. To easy holiday stress, stop by the Soothing Spa in the center courtyard, where weary shoppers can indulge in a free massage. Plus, spend $250 (easy breezy) and receive a free aromatherapy candle.

6. Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park

3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, 954-968-3880 www.holidaylightsdrivethru.com, through January 2, 2010

Nothing brings out the holiday cheer quite like Christmas lights (and eggnog). The annual Holiday Fantasy of Lights is a drive-through spectacle. Take a three-mile ride through festive decorations that would impress Santa Claus himself. From giant butterflies and castles to teddy bears and snowmen, the colorful display will wow kids (and tough-as-nails adults). As an added treat, this year’s show can be viewed with 3-D glasses, which make the decorations pop.

7. Art Basel Miami Beach

Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach www.artbaselmiamibeach.com December 3rd through December 6th

The younger, sassier sister event to Switzerland's Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach attracts more than 250 top galleries from around the world showing contemporary works by over 2,000 artists. Plus, all over the Art Deco District, complementary events including additional art exhibitions, music and film showcases and countless parties make this one of the hottest events of the year for art lovers and boldface names alike.

8. Movie Night at Spa at Icon Brickell

485 Brickell Avenue, Miami, 305-503-4400 viceroymiami.com/spa, Saturdays

The super swank spa, designed by the incomparable Phillip Starck, shows movies in its small, lounge-like screening room. Watch the classic movies on a nine-foot high-def screen while munching free popcorn and gourmet cupcakes. And of course, hit the spa beforehand. Trust us, after the Raindrop Therapy (a full body massage with essential oils), you’ll be ready to veg out.

9. Guillermo Kuitca: Everything, Paintings and Works on Paper, 1980-2008 at the Miami Art Museum

101 West Flagler Street, Miami, 305-375-3000 www.miamiartmuseum.org, through January 17, 2010

Looking for a high-brow name to add to your cocktail party repertoire? Turn to the Miami Art Museum, which is showcasing world-renowned Argentinean artist Guillerno Kuitca. The broad exhibit includes more than 50 canvases and 25 works on paper, as well as large-scale installations. Inspired by everything from dance to road maps, the contemporary artist wows with a mix of painting, photography, and collage. It’s a welcome dose of culture after all that shopping.

10. Happy Hour at The Webster

1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 305-674-7899 www.thewebstermiami.com

The Webster, a three-story shopping mecca, is home to covetable designers like Tom Ford, Prada, and Marc Jacobs. But for those looking to take a shopping breather, there’s the first-floor restaurant, Caviar Kaspia. The chichi French import serves food worthy of such high-end style. And their newly launched happy hour (Tuesday-Saturday, 4-7 p.m.) is an affordable way to take in the glam scene. Enjoy $8 drinks like mojitos and champagne while snacking on smoked salmon blinis from the $10-and-under menu.

Photo Credits: Area 31 by Adam Larkey; Village of Merrick Park provided by Village of Merrick Park; Holiday Fantasy of Lights by Brandano Displays, Inc.; The Spa at Icon Brickell by Robin Hill; Caviar Kaspia by Jimmy Cohrssen Photography; Brooke Siegel is the Editor of Daily Candy Miami.

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